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Entering the bedroom, Meher closed the door behind her. It was an ordinary day in the Juneja household and everyone was busy in one or another thing after their dinner. Meher thought of writing her diary early that day as the next day was not any ordinary day. It was going to be Preet's first day of school so she needed to wake up very early the next day to make sure that everything goes perfectly fine. Preet, Preet Juneja. The 4 year old son of Late Preet Juneja and Meher juneja. Meher gave birth to a beautiful baby boy and she named him Preet. Everyone in the family used to call the junior Preet as chotu Preet and it was going to be his first day of school, the next day.
Meher sat on the table and opened her diary. She used to write the diary everyday as if to doing a conversation with her Preet. It had been 4 years since Preet was not anymore with them but Meher made sure, she never missed anything out of a day to tell Preet throughout her diary.
Meher took a pen in her hand and started writing down.
"My Preet,
Today I am early because tomorrow is a big day. Can you believe that our little junior Preet is starting his school from tomorrow?! I don't know when he grew up so much. You know what maa said today seeing the name Preet Juneja on his books and copies? She said, she felt like it was again the day when you will be going to school. This feels like I am getting to see your childhood through our son, Preet. As you know he almost looks like you as you looked in your childhood, so maa, bauji, Kul di and others in the house says that they feel like they are reliving your childhood. You know what I feel? When he will grow up, also then he will take after you. He already resembles you a lot Preet. Okay, not only he looks almost like you but day by day he is totally becoming like you by nature. Doing prank and mischief activities every now and then. But he makes sure that no one gets harmed too. I feel so proud of him because he has grown up to be a mature kid with a very jolly mood like yours. Bauji says, you were just like this at your childhood too. Now talking about maturity, I would like to let you know that our Gungun is no less. Although, she is just 8 years old but she takes care of me and her baby brother along with the family in such a way that she is everyone's granny. She talks about you a lot, like whatever memory she could recall of yours and always asks everyone to tell her more about you and about the moments you both shared together. You know that, it was last week when I told her about the bomb blast incident because I felt, now it is the time that I should explain it to her before she gets to know from outside and may take it in some other way. You know what she thinks of you? She thinks you are her super hero. She takes pride in you Preet. I know when our chotu Preet will also reach the age of Gungun and will get to know about the incident, he will feel the same way too. Don't worry, I will show them their papa's diary and the video camera too but only when they will be much grown up to know all that stuff haha. Oh Preet, I forgot to tell you, you know what happened today? We were watching the old videos and chotu Preet saw you calling bauji Chaand. He asked why his papa did so. When Herman explained it to him, do you believe your son started to call bauji chaand too? Oh well, obviously you would believe I know. You even would have felt so proud of your son for doing such, haha. But another moment which you need to know is that I have seen bauji cry today in happiness. When I tried to stop Preet from calling bauji chaand, bauji held my hand and shook his head as a no with happy tears in his eyes. He then started chasing him just like he would do with you. Bauji's happy tears reminded me the same incident with Prem bhaiya. You know it right? The incident when Preet started calling Prem bhaiya PC after he got to know that you used to call Prem Bhaiya PB as in a short of Prem Bhaiya and he formed PC as the short form of Prem chachu. With all these happening, it feels like you are back home Preet, it does. I cannot tell you how much happiness chotu Preet is bringing everday to this house. Talking of Prem bhaiya, today I would like to share some feelings of mine with you. I have no complain from you for sacrificing your life for Prem bhaiya, in fact you already know how much proud I am of you. Prem bhaiya has been always fulfilling his responsibility towards me and Gungun-Preet before anyone else in the family. He has been trying to give every happiness to our kids which they deserve. Prem bhaiya and our family never let me broke down. They are trying to make the life of mine and our kids a little bit more beautiful everyday. It will..."
Suddenly Meher heard some commotion from downstairs and smiled. She understood what must had happened and started writing again.
"Okay Preet, I think it is time to rush for me today because as usal you know, I am sure your son has done any mischievous activity again or I think he has probably teased bauji calling him chaand. All I can hear now is Bauji and Prem bhaiya calling Preet badmash and telling him that, today he is gone, just in the way they used to catch you and tell you, while I can hear chotu Preet screaming and giggling. I need to go down to check what your son was again up to and I need to put him to sleep earlier today as well.
Yours ever,
Meher"
Meher came downstairs and saw Lalit and Prem were tickling Preet. She laughed seeing them.
Meher: Preet I wonder what you have done again.
Lalit: What else? Calling his grandfather chaand. I am telling you Meher this guy is totally going to become another Preet.
Everyone became silent for few moments and finally Prem broke the silence when chotu Preet pulled his fingers.
Prem: Yes my chotu Preet?
Preet: PC, where is my chocolate?
Meher: What chocolate? No more chocolates today. You will get a upset stomach. Now come with me, you should go to sleep otherwise you won't be able to wake up tomorrow.
Prem: Your mom is right Preet. Chachu will give you chocolates tomorrow.
Listening that, junior Preet gave a big smile to his chachu.
Lalit: Umm Meher my kid, can I take Preet today to sleep with me and Gayatri?
Meher: Obviously bauji. Take him. Okay, then I go now and check on Gungun before going to sleep.
When Meher reached near Gungun's bedroom, she saw Chahat coming out of the room
Meher: Chahat? So, was having some sister time huh?
Chahat: Yeah maasi. You are going to Gungun's room?
Meher: Yes dear.
Chahat: Maasi, Gungun is again...
Before Chahat could complete, Meher completed Chahat's words
Meher: Seeing the photos of her with your Chachu from the album, right?
Chahat: Yeah but she seems to be upset today..
Meher: Why? What has happened? *Tensed*
Chahat: I don't know maasi, maybe she will tell you..
Meher: I will to talk to her now. Don't worry, you go sweeetheart and sleep hmm?
Chahat nodded her head in agreement giving Meher a small smile and went towards her bedroom.
Meher entered Gungun's bedroom only to find what Chahat said. Gungun was seeing the album and was surely upset, her face expressed it all. Meher sat on her bed beside her and side hugged her.
Gungun: Mom?! When did you come?
Meher: Just now love. But what has happened to you? I met Chahat outside and she said you are upset which I can see is true.
Gungun just hugged her mother tightly.
Meher: What happened darling? *Tensed* Mom is getting tensed.
Gungun: Mom, will you bring me a diary too? I want to share my feelings with papa too.
Meher tried her best to held back her tears, she could not fall weak infront of their kids.
Meher: Obviously I will Gungun, in fact I will buy you a diary tomorrow while coming back from school. Is that fine?
Gungun: Really mom?! You are great. Just like my papa ia my super hero, my mom is my super woman too.
Meher hugged her daughter tightly and kissed her forehead. Gungun hugged her mother back. Then Meher made Gungun lie down on the bed and pulled the blanket over her. She bid good night to her daughter and gave a kiss on her cheek. Switching off the lights of Gungun's bedroom, Meher headed out of the room.
Coming back to the bedroom, where someday she and Preet had lived their moments happily, Meher went to the window. She stared at the sky for some time and then closed her eyes. Tears rolled down her cheeks. But she wiped away the tears and smiled having her eyes closed as she tried to remember the memories of Preet and all she could recall was his evergreen grinning face in front of her eyes.